RTE's new Director General Kevin Bakhurst has stood down broadcaster's entire Executive Board on his first official day in the job.
Mr Bakhurst confirmed the changes in an email to staff on Monday morning and said the Executive Board will be replaced with an interim leadership team. Details of the interim leadership team are expected to be shared later today and a permanent leadership team will be appointed "in due course".
The new boss has also committed to publishing the salaries of all RTE Executives alongside the top 10 highest-paid presenters in its annual reports. He added that from today, all significant decisions will be agreed "by the whole of the interim leadership team."
"There can be no repeat of the siloed and at times secretive decision-making that have been at the root of the shameful events of the past weeks," Mr Bakhurst said.
Read more: RTE's Director of Strategy Rory Coveney announces resignation with immediate effect
Chair of the RTE Board, Siun Ni Raghallaigh said they welcomed the new Director General and the changes he is implementing. She explained that there are four initial changes he is making:
- The replacement of the Executive Board with an interim leadership team;
- Changes in how the leadership team makes and accounts for significant decisions – with appropriate oversight by the RTÉ Board;
- A new Register of Interests; and
- A commitment to drive cultural change in the organisation.
Ms Ni Raghallaigh said that these changes "are the first steps in an ongoing process of change that will last for many months".
"In particular we note the overall commitment to management accountability and transparency that underpins these, and future, actions," she said. "RTE has a long way to go in rebuilding our bond of trust with the people.
"However, I believe that, working together across all strands of the organisation, we can do so."
RTE's Director of Strategy Rory Coveney quit his role on Sunday evening after 16 years with the broadcaster. He said that Mr Bakhurst's role would be easier if he had a “fresh lead team".
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
